The Village Halloween Parade is back again, and Greenwich Village is buzzing with Halloween. For most of the country this holiday is about candy, costumes, and trick-or treating.
Yet, as I shared on Ask the Oracles with Amy Zerner, Monte Farber, and Jeff Pulver, Hallows or Hallomas started out as a festival to honor the Wise Woman/ Crone. Over the years it has been transformed into wicked old witches flying on broomsticks with black cats. Even the cauldron has changed meaning as it represented the womb of the Goddess –a symbol of rebirth.
Did you know that the idea of going from door to door to ask for candy and sweets comes from a British custom of asking for money for the poor?
For the Celts, it is called Samhain- summers end- and it is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. From darkness, endings and death comes light and rebirth. Something we all need to remember. In Ireland, it is believed that the fairies come out on this special night.
This is a holy time when the veil between the worlds is thin. For many cultures this is a time when the ancestors return to visit and communicate with the living.
The Sage card from The Wild Goddess Oracle
In Latin America, El Dia del las Muertes is celebrated at the cemetery. Families sweep the graves, bring food, create altars with marigolds and sugar skulls and celebrate those who have died. It is also a way to teach children that death is part of life and not to fear it.
Five things you can do this Halloween weekend:
Create an altar to your ancestors. I like to put photos of my ancestors, symbols of their lives and even some of their favorite foods. My Grandparents loved Halvah!
Do a meditation to connect to your inner Wise Woman/Man/Sage. Journal what comes to you.
Connect to those less fortunate than you. Donate socks, underwear and/or food to a homeless shelter or your place of worship.
Work with oracle cards or get a reading.
Have fun! Just play and embody joy!
Until next time,
Barbara